consequence Archives

Spotify charts have been filled with AI songs. It is largely a consequence of what Spotify has encouraged

May 11, 2026 by usatoday24

Songs like ‘I still breathe‘ either ‘I loved myself more‘, performed by Ruby Black, have topped Spotify’s algorithmic charts in Spain for weeks. Ruby Black does not exist: she is a singer generated with artificial intelligence distributed by a label called Silencio Capital, with more than one hundred thousand followers on Instagram and a new single every Thursday. Spotify is now announcing measures that try to quell this wave of synthetic artists, but everything indicates that this new situation is here to stay. And we have asked for it. Who’s that girl. In April 2026Ruby Black topped the first spot on Spotify’s list of The 50 Most Viral in Spain. Soul-type ballads, very soft, with vocal echoes of Rosalía and other fashion trends in pop in Spanish, lyrics of heartbreak and improvement, and covers and video clips generated by artificial intelligence. Google’s own AI, when consulted about the artist, lied when describing her as a “human, not AI, singer, known for ballads like ‘I Still Breathe’.” How are the machines? Its release of weekly singles is unequivocal: chain production applied to entertainment, thanks to a catalog that continually grows, minimal cost, zero emotional ties with real creators… Ruby Black is not the only one of her kind: the same viral top, as different media have commented, includes equally dubious artists such as Nyx Solaris. But Ruby Black is the one who has reached the highest thanks to the undoubted advantage of singing in Spanish. There is AI but… how much AI? According to what he said Deezer this monthreceive around 75,000 completely AI-generated tracks every day, 44% of all new content. In January 2025, just over a year ago, there were only 10,000. Spotify, for its part, removed more than 7.5 million tracks generated by AI in the twelve months prior to September 2025, many of them linked to mass generation tools. Its entire catalog is around 100 million songs. We don’t distinguish it. It is not only an ethical issue, but it is increasingly difficult to identify AI-generated music. A study commissioned by Deezer with 9,000 people in eight countries published in November 2025 concluded that 97% of the participants were not able to distinguish between songs generated by AI and human songs in a blind test. 80% of them believed that 100% artificial music should be clearly labeled. The demand exists but the platforms have not yet reacted. Step forward from Deezer. In fact, Deezer is the only one that, to date, has implemented its own detection system. In June 2025 began flagging albums that included 100% AI-generated tracks and to exclude them from algorithmic recommendations and editorial playlists. In January 2026 put that same technology on sale so that other platforms could take advantage of it. Deezer also found that 85% of streams of AI music are fraudulent, and that is why it excludes them from its distribution of royalties. It is the only one that has taken such an openly anti-AI stance. Apple Music launched in March 2026 Transparency Tagsa metadata system that allows labels and distributors to voluntarily declare whether they have used AI in vocals, songwriting, cover art or video. And Spotify works with DDEXthe music industry standards body, on a metadata system for song credits that indicates how AI has been used, also voluntary. Spotify’s latest move. To all this, the most followed platform has added the verification seal ‘Verified by Spotify‘ to ensure that there are humans behind each artist profile. Artists like Ruby Black are, precisely, proof that the formula limps: with a massive following on networks, a single every week, and number one on the top viral list in Spain, he has everything Spotify needs to award him the “real artist” label. A well-managed synthetic avatar can meet Spotify’s criteria (consistent activity, compliance with platform policies, signs of an artist’s real presence) and be a synthetic creation. The root of the problem. The truth is that all this fuss was not born with generative models. Liz Pelly, author of the book ‘Mood Machine: The Rise of Spotify and the Costs of the Perfect Playlist’, has been documenting for years how Spotify has systematically built a listening model based on lean-back listening: mood playlists, algorithmic recommendations that prioritize the most generic song in an artist’s catalog, the content that works best as a background sound. The author also revealed the existence of the internal program called Perfect Fit Content (PFC): since 2017, Spotify has filled its most popular playlists with “ghost artists” musicproduced in series to reduce the cost of royalties. Twenty composers were behind the work of more than five hundred “artists”and its tracks were listened to millions of times. Playlists such as Deep Focus, Cocktail Jazz or Ambient Relaxation were almost entirely composed by Perfect Fit Content. AI has not broken into a healthy ecosystem: platforms have been favoring anonymous, interchangeable and depersonalized content for years. And awarded by the algorithm. The Instagram-core. The phenomenon has an exact reflection on Instagram. In the same way that there is a Instagram-core (that homogeneous aesthetic of Reels with fast transitions, viral music, warm light and motivational text), there is almost the Spotify-core that Ruby Black represents. That is, designed to exceed the thirty-second hearing threshold (quick emotional hook, recognizable or directly cloned voice, lyrics that impact at first) that Spotify counts as a listen. Or put another way: Spotify can delete 75 million tracks and announce anti-spam filters. But as long as it continues to reward with its algorithm the most comfortable, ephemeral and generic song to captivate a listener who listens without paying attention, Ruby Black is just one more profile (a millionaire, of course) in a problem that has been brewing for years. In Xataka | Dear Spotify, it’s about time you had a button that allows you to filter AI-generated music

The consequence has also reached payrolls, according to Levante

February 10, 2026 by usatoday24

We live in a world where cyberattacks have a growing impact on everyday life. It’s no longer just about data leaks capable of compromising privacy or fueling new waves of cyber scams. Nor only from rescheduled flights because the systems of an airport or an airline they have been committed. Cybersecurity incidents can also, indirectly, delay something as basic as collecting a payroll. This is what the employees of a Spanish agricultural company would have recently experienced. The cyber attack. Levante-EMV points out that Agriconsathe Valencian company responsible for the juices and preserves of the same name, suffered a computer intrusion at the beginning of last week. Official details are scarce, but the incident would have altered the company’s normal operations for several days. Subsequently, activity would have been restored normally, which suggests a relatively quick response capacity on the part of the actors involved, including an external company whose specific role has not been specified. Delay in payrolls. Agriconsa workers found themselves in an unusual situation this February. Instead of receiving their payslips on the scheduled date, the payment arrived late. Sources consulted by the aforementioned newspaper assure that the cyberattack caused a “total blockage of the computers.” As a direct consequence, essential processes such as order management, sending invoices or paying payrolls were temporarily affected. What they say from the company. Levante-EMV collects statements from José Juan Felici, director of the company in Algemesí. According to the manager, “the external company” that collaborates with them reacted quickly and allowed normality to be recovered progressively. Felici acknowledges that it took them “a couple of days to recover,” but maintains that the problem is now completely resolved, while regretting the inconvenience derived from the cybersecurity incident. One of the most revealing elements of his words is that the external company in charge of the systems carries out updates and implements improvements. Even so, the company ended up suffering from the attack. This highlights that even organizations that invest in protection can become victims of malicious actors whose primary motivation is often to obtain illicit financial gain. Ransomware attack? In an incident of these characteristics, one of the first hypotheses usually points to the participation of a ransomware group. This is what the sources consulted by Levante-EMV suggest, who maintain that the release of the systems depended on the payment of a ransom. Felici, however, denied to that medium that he had received any financial demand to restore the equipment, although he did confirm the existence of the computer incident. Companies, in the spotlight. Companies continue to be one of the priority targets of cybercriminalslargely due to the possibility of obtaining a payment in exchange for unlocking previously encrypted systems. In some cases, preventive measures are insufficient and even backups may be compromised. In others, restoration is possible without having to give in to the attackers’ demands, which shows the diversity of scenarios that can occur after an attack of this type. From Xataka we have contacted Agriconsa to obtain more information about what happened and we will update this article as soon as we receive a response. Images | Google Maps | freepik In Xataka | How to know if your passwords have been leaked on the Internet

Machu Picchu has become a world tourist destination. Now face the unwanted consequence: die of success

May 24, 2025 by usatoday24

Machu Picchu is one of the most popular icons in Peru, one of its greatest heritage treasures and a powerful magnet for tourists who only during the first two months of 2025 attracted more than 191,000 visitorsalmost 17% more than in 2024. For that reason, the Inca citadel of Cusco faces the same threat that looms over other large international destinations, such as Mount Fujithe monumental areas of Rome, Venice and Florence either The pyramids of Guiza, in Egypt, to cite only a handful of examples: tourist saturation. So They just warned The Peruvian authorities, who have launched a notice to navigators: the “tourist overload” of the Inca city threatens its conservation. What happened? That the Would control general Of the Republic, an autonomous body responsible for ensuring the assets and resources of Peru, has just made a warning to the country’s ministry of culture: Machu Picchu is suffering a “tourist overload.” The problem has been detected both in the old citadel and in the Inca road network (Qhapaq Ñan), he Road System of the Incas. After verifying the influx of visitors, the general control has come to the conclusion that there is an excess of tourists that puts “at risk” the conservation of both points and affects their “structure and ecosystem.” And if that message had not been clear enough, warns: To extend, that situation could lead to Machu Picchu ending in the World Heritage List in Danger of UNESCO, a risk that he already faced A few years ago. What is the problem? The Peruvian agency provides concrete data to support its complaints. Between April 17 and 30 of this year its operators detected “an overload” of 2,505 people on the upper terrace of the Inca city (Route 1-B). And it was not an isolated case. In May they estimate that this saturation will reach 1,546 users. What does that mean? That authorized maximum aguoros are repeatedly overcome in the protected space. “Although the sustainable access limit to said AES area of 450 people per day in regular or low season, the sale of tickets for daily income from 549 to 789 users was evidenced. And while in high season the limit is 490 people, access tickets of between 495 and 639 users were sold.” The key, They need From the control, although the state platform for the sale of tickets is respected the capacity of the upper terrace of the LlaqtaVisitors arrive on the road network. Is there more data? Yes. The agency has also detected a considerable “overload” of 836 visitors, on Route 5 of the Inca road network between April 17 and 30. In May the data will amount to 1,490. “Although the permitted capacity is 250 people per day, the sale of tickets for the entry of 300 users between tourists, guides and support personnel was evidence insist From the entity. In the case of the Route Route designedanother of the great tourist claims in the region, saturation reached 1,368 visitors during the last 13 days of April and set 1,248 people in May. The control even speaks of “errors in the sales platform” that “make it difficult to plan the number of visitors.” Why is it a worrying? Because that excess tourists can take its toll to the deposits. “These situations do not guarantee the conservation of the areas because the constant transit of visitors could cause the erosion of the soil in areas with pronounced slopes and nearby areas, as well as the compaction of the land due warns The entity. Something similar would happen on the route, where the technicians consider that the “overload” endangers the residential and ceremonial area for the wear of the stone. Is it something new? Yes. And no. The touch of attention of the control of the Ministry of Culture of Peru is new, but as it is responsible for remembering the body itself in Your official statement It is not the first time that the preservation of Machu Picchu generates debate. In 2017, UNESCO He examined the situation of the Inca citadel to decide whether or not to include it in the world heritage list. The problem, explained at that time from UNESCO, was not so much the state in which the sanctuary was, as the management of the “long -term” environment. “The difficulties are in the control of tourist flow in the area”, warned. E that occasion the Unesco chose not to register To Machu Picchu on his list, but he would control it, he remembers that this option could be on the table again. Is it a real risk? I would control it like this seems to believe it. In fact, he recalls that at the UNESCO World Heritage Committee meeting held in July last year in New Delhi, the state of the Inca deposit was approached. “Concern about the state of conservation of the historical sanctuary was expressed in relation to several aspects, including the high number of daily visitors that has generated pressure on the structures and the natural environment of the site.” The truth is that Peru It has moved token so that his great tourist claim does not die of success. At the beginning of this year the authorities of Cusco and the headquarters of the Archaeological Park of Machu Picchu They announced that would reinforce the safety and control in access to the citadel after a field guard be convicted of accepting bribes to pass to tourists skipping the rules. To avoid repeating episodes thus Cusco promised to reinforce inspections by the police and install cameras. Machu Picchu is one of Peru’s great claims: only during the first two months of 2025 attracted More than 191,000 peoplepromoting national tourism to record figures. Images | Eddie Kiszka (UNSPLASH) and Shashi Bellamkonda (Flickr) In Xataka | For decades the families adapted their vacations to travel with children. Today sends another priority: pets

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